Before

After

coreopsis

Purple Heart

This is what the bed looks like by the end of the summer. The coreopsis has bloomed out but the green mouse-eared leaves remain lovely until frost. I added the coleus for some color.

Before and After

This bed was purely for aesthetics and curb appeal.  It's full perennials (homestead verbena, black-eyed Susans, lots of mums, and to my delight, my zinnias reseeded themselves so I can't wait to see what pops up this year.)  These two pictures were taken a couple years ago and since then, I've added hundreds of bulbs.

All the photos in the slideshow below are from the same bed.  Tiptoe through the tulips...and iris, phlox, daffodils, peonies, amaryllis, hyacinth, and many other wonders of Spring. To me, Spring is better than Christmas, sometimes it's even a surprise because I've forgotten what bulbs I've planted and each one is a gift. Mother Nature's 4th of July, an explosion of color and joy.  I love a Kiowah tribal quote, "Step lightly in the Spring, Mother Earth is pregnant." Enjoy!

My raised veggie garden

I got my tomato plants in the raised bed veggie garden . On the front are cucumbers, green peppers, tomatillos, and in the lower section of the garden are lettuce, arugula, spinach, kale.

I came across these amazing alternatives to ugly tomato cages, the "Ultamato." Adjustable, easy to use, and fun!